China Travel Forum

[Zimmerman]

hi there
I've read several posts that recommend waiting until a week before departure to buy tickets for domestic flights in China. Our trip isn't until late May, and I know that booking now is too early, but do I really need to wait until only 1 week out?

Is it because the schedules change so frequently? I know that I will worry between now and then that the flights will all be booked. The flight we would be booking is Xi'An to Guilin. I'm considering doing the overnight train Beijing to Xi'An - do I wait till the last minute to do that too?

How about Guilin to Hong Kong? We have most of our hotel rooms booked, and I know the worrier in me will be convinced that all the flights will be full and we'll be stranded somewhere. Advice? Reassurance?

Also, is there an online agency that Fodorites recommend? I'm temporarily living overseas, so don't have a travel agent in the U.S. I can use, and don't really have any good options where I live now either.

We are budget travelers, but I would pay a bit more just to have a reliable agent book everything...as long as I knew I could reach them if there were a problem, a flight was changed, etc.
Thanks for your help.

[Harley Bo]

Hi.......

Previously, it's very difficult to get good Chinese internal airfares online or far in advance. Therefore, the recommendation is to wait unitl you're there.

But now, I've seen more discount fares available on several websites. I've never used them myself, but you can start check the fares on them. XIY-KWL doesn't have that many flights a day, so don't expect that much of a discount anyways.
Sites to check include:
www.ctrip.com
www.9588.com

you buy full fare first/business class. Still fairly affordable, and seldom sold out.

For the train, it's still best to get it once you've arrived in Beijing. While there's only one non-stop "Z" train each night from Beijing to Xian, there are SEVEN other fast overnight "T" trains that arrive after 6am in Xian (and two others that arrive 3-6am).

So, don't worry about not able to get tickets. Worse case, fly, and spend another of hotel.